Pay Eid bonus by March 12, clear arrears in 7 days: Labour Minister

Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury has ordered employers to pay workers' Eid bonuses by 12 March and clear any outstanding wages within a maximum of seven working days ahead of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr.

The directive was issued at the 94th meeting of the Tripartite Consultative Council (TCC) and the 23rd meeting of the RMG-related TCC, convened by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on Tuesday (March 3). The minister chaired the meeting.

According to the ministry, participants reviewed the overall labour situation, discussed measures to address unrest in the readymade garment (RMG) sector, and held detailed deliberations on the timely payment of salaries and allowances, as well as leave arrangements for factory workers during Eid.

The minister instructed employers to ensure that all outstanding wages are settled within seven working days and that Eid bonuses are disbursed by 12 March. He emphasised that employers and workers must act in coordination to prevent any public inconvenience.

He further stated that no worker may be laid off or retrenched without valid reason. In line with the general holiday notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, Eid holidays for workers are to be determined through mutual consultation in accordance with the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006.

Among those present were Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, State Minister for Labour and Employment Md Nurul Haque, Prime Minister's Adviser (State Minister rank) Mahdi Amin, Bangladesh Employers' Federation leader Fazle Shamim Ehsan and TTC Vice-President Md Anwar Hossain.

Speaking as a special guest, the State Minister for Labour stressed that, given the prevailing domestic and global economic situation, salaries and allowances must be paid on time to avert worker dissatisfaction.

Representatives of the labour side urged immediate settlement of outstanding dues before Eid and appealed to the government to extend maternity leave for female workers to six months.